Working from Home

[wibroker]

Home is the way to go. We have physical office, but I very rarely go (I'm agency owner). You get more work done - more efficiently working at home. Granted I have a very nice setup - but there are definitely fewer distractions at home than in an office as long as you are reasonably self-disciplined.

We are a brokerage firm so our customers (agents) never come to see us anyway.

As for the gym membership - good idea or buy a cross trainer, etc. for home use!

 

[jmhopkins40]

I am a captive agent that works from home. I find if I get up, have my coffee and shower I am much more productive. Put together a Marketing plan to keep you on track. That really helps me.

I agree with getting a gym membership.

* arent u sooooo tired of being captive [email protected]

 

[LoriRutl]

* arent u sooooo tired of being captive [email protected]

yep

 

[jmhopkins40]

yep

* so was I..... escaped and now enjoy a 6 figure income with exclusive leads at no cost reply to [email protected] and i can explain further

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

with exclusive leads at no cost reply to [email protected] and i can explain further

CAUTION:

Offers of "free" or "no cost" leads generally indicate a SCAM.

You either pay for them out of pocket, or in the form of reduced commissions, but nothing is free.

Caveat emptor.

 

[AmandaAHCP]

Who on this forum works from home? And what were the things you did to start up?
I'm a 14yr vetern of life insurance (9 + full time) and have had my P&C license for 4yrs. Overall I've done well.
I'm thinking about leaving the captive agency, this time very seriously and would like some input as to what works for you.
Any direction would be appreciated.

Working from home has never been easier! You mentioned that you are planning to leave a captive agency. Have you considered selling Health Insurance?
At AHCP, all of our independent agents work from home. They work to live, not the opposite. By partnering with AHCP and utilizing the tools we have put together for them, our agents typically earn about $100k/year or more. If you're interested, let's talk.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

our agents typically earn about $100k/year or more

OMG, not another one...

Please provide verification of your assertions and claims.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

"...agents typically earn $100,000" is one of the most misleading statements agencies make.

Yes, if you eliminate all the agents who don't make $100,000 (they don't count) then yes, they average $100,000.

To get a TRUE average of what an agent makes with any agency you need to take all agents appointed and divide by all commissions earned.

If you do this you'll find the AVERAGE agent (based on the number of agents who are appointed to sell under any particular agency) earns around $5,000 or so a year.

 

[Alston]

It took me about 20 years to make a decent living as an agent.

Some people are somehow able to do well right from the start but it is the rare agent who does well from the start and continues to do well year after year.

My son is doing very well as a new agent. He works hard but we also have a very good Internet marketing system. We can get enough leads in our niche (pre 65 individual health insurance in CT) to keep the two of us and possibly a third agent busy, but no more.

I'm wary of any system that claims to generate a high quantity of high quality leads to an unlimited number of agents.

If you work in a good system and work hard you can make a good buck as an insurance agent. You can do it in a lot less than 20 years if you work hard and learn fast.

However, don't believe the hype; it ain't easy. You can get lucky and make a big sale from time to time, but in order to make sales consistently, you have to work both hard and smart especially in the beginning.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

You're touching on one of the biggest factors for success; sucking up that initial 2 to 3 month period with no income.

Getting appointed: 3 to 4 weeks
Building a pipeline of prospects: 1 month
Submitting a deal, getting it approved then paid: 2 to 3 weeks

It around 3 months to start receiving commissions. Without a marketing plan it's over before it starts. Same with a realistic budget.

If agents choose to purchase leads, fine. Plan on $250/wk for 10 weeks or $2,500 minimum needed to get off the ground.

Don't have the $2,500? It's BtoB or telemarketing for 20 hours per week every week for 10 weeks.

So without the capital and without the willingness to stick it out cold calling agents should sit this one out.